The Resurrection of our Bodies
Last summer I had the privilege of speaking at all of the family fests at The Apostolate for Family Consecration (AFC) in Bloomingdale, Ohio. For me and my family, it was experiencing a renaissance of an apostolate whose message to the world now has greater relevance than ever. As a speaker traveling much that summer both in the United States and even to the Philippines, I was keenly aware... Read More

Resurrection Moments
God's Easter Word to Us
My grandmother, whom I affectionately called ‘Meme’ was filled with love. I grew especially close to her since for the last twenty years of her life she suffered from near-blindness. I helped her with her mail, her bookkeeping, and when I was old enough to drive, I took her shopping and to Mass. Our conversations were unforgettable, and she taught me so much in those formative... Read More

On the Resurrection of the Lord*
(A Homily by Pope Leo the Great)
We must all be partakers in Christ’s Resurrection life
In my last sermon,** dearly-beloved, not inappropriately, as I think, we explained to you our participation in the cross of Christ, whereby the life of believers contains in itself the mystery of Easter, and thus what is honored at the feast is celebrated by our practice. And how useful this is you yourselves... Read More

Why are Peacocks Considered Symbols of the Resurrection?
Dear Father John, I was looking around the SpiritualDirection.com site and found a post from back in 2014 (Why are Holy Water Fonts at Church Doors? Why Bless Ourselves with Holy Water) in which you said that peacocks are considered signs of the Resurrection. I never knew that. Why are peacocks thought of in that way? Is it the same for peahens? One of our relatives has... Read More

Contemplating the Triumph of Mercy
The Resurrection is a mystery of the triumph of divine mercy over human misery. When the Father raised Christ Jesus from the dead, humble humanity was not overcome, surmounted or diminished. Instead, all that is good, holy and true about this life was rescued from futility and death. Christian contemplation beholds this victory and by faith allows the splendor of Easter morning to baptize... Read More

Raise the Crucifix to Strike Holy Terror in the Antagonist
But…Jesus isn’t on the cross anymore!
“Jesus isn’t on the cross anymore! The cross is empty!”
So what’s the deal with crucifix-wielding Catholics?
Don’t they know we worship a risen Savior?
St. Paul says that “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (cf 1 Corinthians 15:14). Without the Resurrection, there is... Read More

Easter and the Resurrection
Easter is upon us! Rejoice in the triumph of Christ! On this edition of Divine Intimacy Radio, Dan and Melissa discuss Easter and the Resurrection: the glory of the Resurrection and the dramatic changes it brought about in the lives of Christ's disciples.
Topics/Questions covered in the show:
The Apostles rejoiced when they were persecuted for the sake of Christ.
Easter as a foreshadowing of Heaven.
How... Read More

The Risen Lord and the Gift of Faith
To believe that the Lord is Risen is to believe that He is present in a radical and wonderful way. His powerful presence is accessible only by faith — this is because He has ascended into heaven. Such is the substance of our hope. When we cleave to Him by faith, because His presence is real and personal, He raises us up with Him.
When Mary Magdalene calls out to the Risen Lord, He... Read More

Resurrection Moments
My grandmother, whom I affectionately called ‘Meme’ was filled with love. I grew especially close to her since, for the last twenty years of her life, she suffered from near-blindness. I helped her with her mail, her bookkeeping, and when I was old enough to drive, I took her shopping and to Mass. Our conversations were unforgettable, and she taught me so much in those formative years.
When I was a newly... Read More

On the Lord's Resurrection
An Easter Homily from Pope Saint Leo the Great
(Sermon LXXII)
I. The Cross is not only the mystery of salvation, but an example to follow
The whole of the Easter mystery, dearly-beloved, has been brought before us in the Gospel narrative, and the ears of the mind have been so reached through the ear of flesh that none of you can fail to have a picture of the events: for the text of the Divinely-inspired... Read More

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they answer your questions about the spiritual life. Topics/Questions Covered in the Show: Is God there when we are frustrated with life? How do I find the best resources? Is it bad to feel nothing when I meditate? How did the saints pray against the enemy? Saints suffering scrupulosity? Resources: […]

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they answer your questions about spiritual desolation, suffering, the prayer of quiet, consistency in prayer, Lectio Divina and more. Topics/Questions Covered in the Show: How can we avoid getting discouraged during a period of desolation? How does one suffer well? How can we offer up our suffering? When exactly […]